Hair tweezer device

ABSTRACT

A device for plucking out hairs by utilizing heat generated by the application of high frequency waves but which prevents the transfer of the heat to the skin. The device comprises a main body substantially in the form of a letter U including a pair of elongated legs and a curved portion which has a certain degree of flexibility. One of such elongated legs is connected to a high frequency wave generator. A pair of hair clamping members formed as hair clamping tongs is connected to the other elongated leg. A link mechanism is arranged in the two legs and coupled to a set lever for moving the tips of the hair clamping members from a position in which they are in engagement with each other, to a position in which they are out of engagement with each other by utilizing the flexibility of the curved portion of the main body so that the hair clamping members can nip, transmit heat to and pluck out a hair in one operation. The means for preventing the transmission of the heat to the skin may be either in the form of a heat insulating cover provided to each of the hair clamping members or a safety guide adapted to keep the tips of the hair clamping members out of direct contact with the skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hair tweezer device utilizing heat generatedby the application of high frequency waves and provided with means foravoiding direct contact with the skin by the hair clamping members fornipping hairs while in use.

Hair tweezer devices of the aforementioned type which utilize heatgenerated by a high frequency wave generator have not hitherto beenprovided with means for avoiding direct contact with the skin by a pairof hair clamping members in spite of the fact that the hair clampingmembers are heated to an elevated temperature which causes the user tofeel hot if they are brought into direct contact with the skin. Thus,when a conventional hair tweezer device of the type utilizing highfrequency waves is used, caution must be exercised by the user to avoiddirect contact with the skin by the tips of the hair clamping membersand adjustments must be effected to the device during the operation ofthe device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has as its object the provision of improvements in orrelating to a hair tweezer device for plucking out hairs by utilizingheat generated by the application of high frequency waves, such hairtweezer device comprising means for avoiding direct contact by the tipsof the hair clamping members with the skin, so that the safety of theskin of the user can be assured.

The aforementioned object is accomplished in accordance with the presentinvention by providing a safety guide which can be movable relative tothe pair of hair clamping members or by providing a heat insulatingcover to each of the hair clamping members whereby the skin can be keptfrom being brought into direct contact with the heated hair clampingmembers.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentafter the description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunctionwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hair tweezer device comprising oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1a is a view of the front end portion of the hair tweezer device ofFIG. 1 before clamping a hair;

FIG. 1b is a view of the front end portion of the hair tweezer device ofFIG. 1 after a hair is clamped;

FIG. 2 is a side view, partly shown in section, of the hair tweezerdevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a plan view of the hair tweezer device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2b is a side view of the hair tweezer device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein the hairclamping members differ in shape from those of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 3a is a plan view of the hair tweezer device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3b is a side view of the hair tweezer device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a front view, partly shown in section, of still anotherembodiment of the invention wherein the hair clamping members are of thesame shape as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 but the settingmechanism differs from that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is a plan view of the hair tweezer device shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 4b is a side view of the hair tweezer device shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a front view, partly shown in section, of a further embodimentof the invention wherein the hair clamping members are of the same shapeas those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 but the link mechanismdiffers from that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5a is a plan view of the hair tweezer device shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 5b is a side view of the hair tweezer device shown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention shown schematically in thedrawings will now be described in some detail.

In FIG. 2, the hair tweezer device comprises a main body substantiallyin the form of a letter U which can be made of metal or plastics,particularly light metal. The main body comprises a curved portion 3,and elongated legs 2 and 3 extending from the curved portion 3 and shownin a juxtaposed relationship, the curved portion 3 being slightlyflexible. A slit 3a disposed axially in the main body is formed in thecurved portion 3 (See FIG. 1), while a hole 3b is bored at one end ofthe curved portion 3 to extend longitudinally of one leg 1. A highfrequency wave conductor 4 which may be a sealed wire is inserted in thehole 3b and extends in the leg 1 to be connected to the hair clampingmembers 6 and 7 in the legs. After the high frequency wave conductor 4is inserted in the hole 3b, a screw 5 may be threadably inserted inholes formed in the curved portion 3, so that the width of the slit 3acan be reduced when the screw 5 is tightened (See FIG. 1).

The hair clamping member 6 extends outwardly from a forward end of theleg 1, is bent at 6b and terminates at a tip 6a. Likewise, the otherhair clamping member 7, which forms a pair with the hair clamping member6, extends outwardly from a forward end of the leg 2, is bent at 7b andterminates at a tip 7a. The leg 1 is provided on its inner surface witha support portion 1a which is disposed nearer to the forward end of theleg 1 than its central portion. The straight inner surface area of leg 1other than the support portion 1a is a straight inner surface portion 1cwhich is contiguous with an inner curved surface 3c of the curvedportion 3 and spaced apart a predetermined distance from an innerstraight surface portion 2c of the leg 2.

Formed in the support portion 1a is a slit 1b which receives therein asetting link 8 which has secured to one end a pin 9 rotatably supportedby the support portion 1a. Thus the setting link 8 can be moved inpivotal motion relative to the support portion 1a. The setting link 8extends upwardly through an aperture 2b formed in the bottom of a hollowspace 2a in the leg 2.

The setting link 8 is formed therein with a notch 8a for receiving alocking pin 10, with a hole 8b for connecting one end of a spring 11,and with a slit 8c disposed longitudinally from the setting link 8 foran end portion 12a of a safety guide 12 to be engaged therein. Thelocking pin 10 is arranged in the hollow space 2a of the leg 2 andextends between two side walls of the leg 2 so that both ends of the pin10 are supported by the side walls of the leg 2. The spring 11 isconnected at the other end thereof to a pin 13 arranged in the hollowspace 2a and supported at opposite ends thereof by the side walls of theleg 2. The safety guide 12 engaged at its end portion 12a in the slit 8cextends longitudinally from the leg 2 and emerges at its forward endportion from the leg 2 through a hole 2d bored at a forward end portionof the leg 2. After emerging from the leg 2, the forward end portion ofthe safety guide 12 is bent in a direction normal to the longitudinalaxis of the legs 1 and 2 and then formed into a U-shaped forward endportion 12b.

The hollow space 2a is provided at its top with a cover 14 formedtherein with an opening 14a which receives therein a setting lever 15including a surface 15a which performs the function of guiding thesetting lever 15 when the latter moves in sliding movement along thecover 14. A plate spring 16 arranged in the space 2a and secured at oneend to an end wall of the leg 2 is pressed upwardly at the other end bythe underside of the setting lever 15 for frictionally guiding thesetting lever 15 and the cover 14.

The setting lever 15 is formed on its outer periphery with a knurledsurface 15b and surrounds the setting link 8 at its inner peripherywhich is formed therein with an inner peripheral surface adapted topress against the setting link 8 when the setting lever 15 is moved. Thesetting lever 15 includes side walls which are surrounded by a guideportion 2e of the leg 2 which is in the form of a channel including sidewalls adapted to guide the side walls of the setting lever 15 in slidingmovement.

FIGS. 3, 3a and 3b show another embodiment which differs from theembodiment shown in FIG. 2 in the shape of the hair clamping members. Inthe embodiment shown, the hair clamping members designated 21 and 22 areprovided with heat insulating covers 23 and 24 respectively at the outersurfaces thereof. The high frequency wave conductor 4 which may be inthe form of a sealed wire is connected to the hair clamping members 21and 22 in the interior of the leg 1. The provision of the heatinsulating covers 23 and 24 is effective to bring tips 21a and 22a ofthe hair clamping members 21 and 22 respectively into intimate contactwith the human skin without causing injury thereto. This eliminates theneed for use the safety guide 12 shown in FIG. 2. Because of the absenceof the safety guide 12, the setting link 8' is not formed therein withthe slit 8c for engaging one end of the safety guide 12. The abuttingsurfaces of the hair clamping members 21 and 22 are bare and notprovided with the covers 23 and 24. The setting lever 15 of theembodiment shown in FIG. 3 is similar in construction to that of theembodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b show an embodiment in which the hair clamping membersare similar in shape to those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.However, the link mechanism arranged in the hollow space 2a of the leg 2for moving the hair clamping members between their open and closedpositions is distinct from the link mechanism of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2.

More specifically, a setting link 31 is supported by the pin 9 forpivotal movement relative to the support portion 1a of the leg 1. Thesetting link 31 is formed substantially in the middle of its lengthwiseaxis with a notch 31a for receiving therein a locking pin 32. A cover 33for the hollow space 2a of the leg 2 is secured to the outer surface ofthe leg 2 and formed therein with a longitudinally disposed slit 33a forguiding the setting link 31, and with an opening 33b for insertingtherein a setting lever 34 in the form of a setting lever for actuatingand de-actuating the hair clamping members 6 and 7.

The setting lever 34 in the form of a toggle lever is formed on itsouter periphery with a knurled surface 34a and pivotally supportedsubstantially in its center by a pin 35 which is rotatably supported byopposite side walls of the leg 2 defining the hollow space 2a. Thesetting lever 34 is connected at its lower end to one end of a stopperlink 38 through a pin 40 and a roller 37 which are loosely connected tothe stopper link 38. The roller 37 passes against a plate spring 39yieldably mounted in the hollow space 2a of the leg 2 so as to cause thesetting lever 34 to perform a tumbling action, when the setting lever 34is caused to move in pivotal motion. The stopper link 38 is slidablysupported at the other end thereof through a pin 40 in a longitudinalguide groove 2e which is attached to the rear wall of the leg 2. Safetyguide 12' is formed the same as the safety guide 12 in FIG. 2, and isjoined to the setting lever 34 at pin 36.

FIGS. 5, 5a and 5b show an embodiment in which the hair clamping membersare provided with heat insulating covers and the link mechanism formoving the hair clamping members between their open and closed positionsis similar to the link mechanism of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Asetting link 41 is fixed to the pin 9 rotatably supported by the supportportion is of the leg 1, so that the setting link 41 can move in pivotalmotion. The setting link 41 is formed therein with a notch 41b forreceiving a locking pin 43, with a hole 41a for connecting one end of aspring 42 and with a T-shaped hollow space 41c for receiving a leverclamp roller 44. A setting lever 45 is supported by a pin 46 extendingthrough the T-shaped opening 41c and supported at opposite ends thereofby the side walls of the leg 2 defining the hollow space 2a. The settinglever 45 has a roller 46 rotatably supported by a pin 46 attached to alower end of the setting lever 45. Maintained is contact with anddisposed beneath the roller 46 is a plate spring 47 which is connectedat opposite ends thereof to front and rear walls of the leg 2. Whensetting lever 45 is caused to move in pivotal motion, the plate spring47 is pressed by the roller 44 and slightly bent by the applied pressureso as to thereby cause the setting lever 45 to perform a tumblingaction. The spring 11 is connected at the other end to the front wall ofthe leg 2. A rocking pin 43 and a stopper 48 for the setting link 41extend across the hollow space 2a and are supported at opposite endsthereof by the side walls of the leg 2.

A heat dissipating plate 49 may be inserted between the tips 21a and 22aof the hair clamping members 21 and 22 respectively.

The operation of the hair tweezer device in accordance with the presentinvention will now be described. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 2aand 2b, the high frequency wave conductor 4 is connected to a highfrequency wave generator, not shown. When the hair tweezer device inaccordance with the invention is put to use, the locking pin 10 isdisengaged from the notch 8a formed in the setting link 8, so that thespace between the legs 1 and 2 is increased and a small gap is formedbetween the tips 6a and 7a of the hair clamping members 6 and 7. Thenpressure is applied by the finger to the knurled surface 15b of thesetting lever 15 to move the same leftwardly in FIG. 2. The result ofthis is that the surface 15a of the setting lever 15 pushes and movesthe setting link 8 leftwardly in FIG. 2, so that the setting link 8moves in pivotal movement about the pin 9. This causes the safety guide12, which is engaged in the slit 8c at the portion 12a, to move forward,so that the U-shaped forward end portion 12b is brought into contactwith the skin. Thus the tips 6a and 7a of the hair clamping members 6and 7 respectively are spaced apart from the skin a distance of over 1millimeter. While the tips of the hair clamping members are spaced apartfrom the skin by the safety guide 12, the device is bodily moved to aposition in which the tips 6a and 7a of the hair clamping members 6 and7 are positioned against opposite sides of a hair. Then the settinglever 15 is further moved leftwardly as in FIG. 2. This causes thelocking pin 10 to be engaged in the notch 8a formed in the setting link8, so that the legs 1 and 2 are locked in position and the tips 6a and7b of the hair clamping members 6 and 7 clamp the hair. After a lapse ofa predetermined time interval, the hair clamped by the hair clampingmembers 6 and 7 is removed from the skin together with its root by theaction of the high frequency waves. When the hair is thus plucked out,the setting lever 15 is moved rightwardly in FIG. 2 and the legs 1 and 2are moved apart a greater distance from each other. The aforementionedcycle of operation is repeated for each hair to be plucked out.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3, 3a and 3b, the hairclamping members 21 and 22 are provided with heat insulating covers 23and 24 respectively. By this arrangement, the tips 21a and 22a of thehair clamping members 21 and 22 respectively are kept from coming intodirect contact with the skin, so that the safety of the skin is assuredat all times. Thus, the setting lever 15 only performs the function ofmoving the hair clamping members 21 and 22 between a position in whichthe tips thereof are in engagement with each other and a position inwhich the tips thereof are out of engagement with each other.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b operates asfollows. In putting the hair tweezer device to use, the hair clampingmembers 6 and 7 are brought to a position in which their tips aredisposed on opposite sides of a hair to be plucked out and spaced aparta small distance from the skin. The front end portion of the safetyguide 12 must be brought into contact with the skin as is the case withthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2 so as to prevent direct contact of thetips 6a and 7b of the hair clamping members 6 and 7 with the skin. Tothis end, the setting lever 34 in the form of a toggle lever is movedclockwise in FIG. 4. The movement of the setting lever 34 in theclockwise direction actuates the link mechanism and moves the safetyguide 12' leftwardly in FIG. 4, so that the forward end portion 12belongated forward of the joint 12'a is brought into contact with theskin. Further movement of the setting lever 34 in the clockwisedirection brings the pin 32 attached to the setting lever 38 intoengagement in the notch 31a formed in the setting link 31. This bringsthe legs 1 and 2 toward each other and hence the hair clamping members 6and 7 into contact with each other, so that the hair is clamped by thetips 6a and 7a of the hair clamping members 6 and 7. After a lapse of apredetermined time interval, the hair clamped by the hair clampingmembers 6 and 7 is removed from the skin together with its root by theaction of the high frequency waves. When the hair is thus plucked out,the setting lever 34 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction torelease the pin 32 from the notch 31a formed in the setting link 31.Thus the legs 1 and 2 are moved apart a greater distance from each otherand the tips 6a and 7a of the hair clamping members 6 and 7 are broughtout of engagement with each other. The aforementioned cycle of operationis repeated for each hair to be plucked out.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5, 5a and 5b operates asfollows. If the setting lever 45 is moved in a clockwise direction inFIG. 5, then the lever clamp roller 44 received in the T-shaped hollowspace 41c formed in the setting link 41 moves within the T-shaped hollowspace 41c. The result of this is that the roller 44 moves upwardly to anupper portion of the T-shaped hollow space 41c which has a greater widththan its lower portion, so that the locking pin 43 is engaged in thenotch 41b formed in the setting link 41. Thus the spacing between thelegs 1 and 2 is reduced and the tips of the hair clamping members 21 and22 are brought into engagement with each other to thereby clamp thehair. The roller 44 performs the function of causing the setting lever45 to move in a tumbling motion when the roller presses against theplate spring 47. After a lapse of a predetermined time interval, thehair clamped by the hair clamping members 21 and 22 is removed from theskin together with its root by the action of the high frequency waves.Thereafter the setting lever 45 is moved in a counter-clockwisedirection, thereby bringing the locking pin 43 out of engagement in thenotch 41b formed in the setting link 41. The aforementioned cycle ofoperation is repeated for each hair to be plucked out.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the hairtweezer device provided by the present invention offers the advantage ofpreventing inadvertent contact of the hair clamping members with theskin by the safety device incorporated in the device, thereby ensuringthat hairs can be plucked out with safety by application of highfrequency waves.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair tweezer device comprising:(a) a main bodysubstantially in the form of a letter U and including two elongated legsand a curved portion, said curved portion being slightly flexible; (b) ahigh frequency wave conductor introduced into one of said legs of saidmain body; (c) a pair of hair clamping members each extending axiallyforward from a forward end of one of said legs, said hair clampingmembers being disposed in a spaced juxtaposed relationship and includingtips adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with each other,said hair clamping members being connected to said high frequency waveconductor; (d) a safety guide movably arranged in one of said legs ofthe main body and extending axially forward and outward from said legthereof, said safety guide including a bent forward portion adapted tomove forward and rearward relative to the tips of the hair clampingmembers; (e) a setting lever mounted in one of said legs and partiallyexposed to the outside; and (f) a link mechanism operatively connectedto said setting lever and mounted in said two legs, said link mechanismincluding a setting link and adapted to be rendered operative, uponactuation of said setting lever, to move the setting link in pivotalmotion to thereby cause said safety guide to project forward a greaterdistance from the forward end of the leg than the tips of said hairclamping members, said link mechanism also being operative to bring thetips of the hair clamping members into and out of engagement with eachother by utilizing the flexibility of the curved portion of the mainbody to clamp a hair and hold the same for a predetermined timeinterval, whereby the hair can be plucked out by the action of highfrequency waves while avoiding direct contact on the tips of the hairclamping members with the skin by means of the safety guide.